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help on tickets after swiss travel pass purchased

Hello all! Help! I have tried figuring this out on my own and feel I may have done something wrong....

I have purchased our 2nd class swiss travel passes (15 days to begin Sept 10 2025) on sbb.ch (signed in under my account) and received the email with passes. Questions:

1) I can see the STP on the SBB app

2) I tried to look at train schedule/tickets for a Lucern to Bern day trip (during the period of the STP), and it is showing a ticket price of around 12CHF. I thought it would be free so I'm thinking that my STP is not connecting to sbb.ch or the sbb app??? I see no where to add the STP info so ticket purchses reflect STP pricing?? Or am I wrong that this is not free

3) I have previously purchased 1st class seat reservations on Bernina Express Tirano to Chur. I have been trying to figure out how to upgrade the STP ticket to 1st class. I found the BE route on the SBB for upgrade class but the drop down options under 'Discount Cards' only offer "No Discount" or "Half Fare Discount" - I guess I was thinking I'd see STP as option. The price showing for two upgrades is 94CHF. I know there is a charge just want to make sure correct.

4) On the swisspass.ch website, should I be able to see the STP purchase?

Appreciate any help! Thank you!

Posted by
7102 posts

Someone else can maybe help more, but you don't really need tickets with the STP, except for the panorama trains. You just get on the train. Make sure to have the STP and your passport handy to show train attendant. Typically what I did since I was new with Switzerland, I went to the ticket counter and they'd print a "psuedo" ticket so I'd know times and transfers, etc. They always spoke English and were quite helpful. Maybe, make a paper copy of the pass?

Posted by
6421 posts

Unless something has changed , the STP and online accounts don't link. With the STP, you just walk onto the eligible trains, boats, cogwheels, etc. Your STP can be added to your Apple Wallet, which is nice.
Download the SBB app for schedules, connections, platform #'s, ect.
Enjoy this beautiful country!

Posted by
967 posts

The pass IS your ticket, you don't get a ticket for the route if it's included. When someone comes through the train checking tickets, you show your pass + your ID, not a ticket. That's part of the beauty of the pass. You just hop on/off any included route without thinking about tickets whatsoever.

I can't confirm what the first class upgrade is without knowing your exact date of travel.

Using swisspass is really meant more for long term travelers/residents because of certain passes we use that integrate with a long term charge account. You don't need to worry about any of this. Just keep the QR code of your pass on your phone in your files or photos section, it doesn't need to be hooked to anything SBB related for it to work and make sure to travel with your ID.

Posted by
235 posts

In your personal information in the app choose that you have a “GA Travelcard, 2nd class". This is the yearly travel pass that Swiss use. It is not something you will show the train staff, just that it will help you see what routes are covered by the STP.

Then when you look at a Luzern - Bern train you will see “tickets from CHF 20.00” (or whatever amount). Click on that, the next screen now tells you that your cost is CHF 0.00 and “journey covered by your GA Travelcard”.

 My app might look different from yours because I do have a swisspass. If the above does not work, try setting up a co-passenger and for them choose GA Travelcard, 2nd class, then look up routes using that.

This can be a helpful way to see what is covered and what is not.

In addition to that, you can look at this map. There is a dropdown menu - choose "Swiss Travel Pass". Click on the ‘I’ to see what the colours and dots vs solid lines mean as far as discounts. Zoom in to the areas that you want to travel to see more detail. All solid lines are within your ‘free’ travel zone.

https://www.sbb.ch/en/tickets-offers/travelcards/area-validity-map.html

For a first class upgrade:

Choose the time and route you want, click on it to get to the second screen. Under “additional offers” you will see “Point-to-point class upgrade”. The one I randomly choose for Tirano to Chur says CHF 23.50. 

Sometimes there is a supersaver saver discount available, You will see it with a % sign next to it. This can be used only on that specific train, which in your case if fine because your seat reservation is valid on a specific train.

Edited to add: I am not sure if the STP allows you to upgrade at the reduced GA price or if you have to pay the regular upgrade price. You can check with train staff when you are here. You do not need to purchase the upgrade until just before getting on the train for that specific journey.

Posted by
3073 posts

The STP does allow you to buy the reduced class upgrade. So you are fine pretending you have the GA. The only place where pretending you have the GA will not work are a few mountain railways (like the Jungfrau Railway) where the STP only gives 25% off. But these are only a handful of exceptions.

Posted by
9 posts

Our Bernina Express is scheduled Sept 10 2025. Tirano to Chur departing 14:24

Everyone's comments very helpful!